Amphibian and Reptile Element Information

This page acts as a guide to amphibian and reptile bones, indicating which elements are found in which commonly-occuring British species.

Compiled by the author with help and assistance from Phil Piper (pers. comm.), and Chris Gleed-Owen (1998).
 
AmphibiansReptiles
 Ranidae (frogs)Bufonidae (toads)Salamandridae (newts)Emydidae (turtle)Lacertidae (lizards)Anguidae (slow worm)Viperidae and Colubridae (snakes)
QC0
Amphibian misc.xxx    
Angulosplenialxx     
Carpalxxxxx  
Carpal/tarsalxxxxx  
Caudal vertebra  x xxx
Cervical vertebra   xxxx
Columella x     
Coracoid x x   
Cornua  x    
Distal caudal vertebra     xx
Exoccipitalx      
Fibula  x    
Hyoidal cornuaxx     
Ischiumxxxx   
Mentomeckelian  x    
Metacarpalxxxxx  
Metapodialxxxxx  
Metatarsalxxxxx  
Nasal xx    
Omosternumx      
Osteoderms     x 
Parasphenoidxx     
Phalanxxxxxx  
Precaudal vertebra  x    
Precoracoid x     
Prefrontal  x    
Premaxillax x    
Pterygoidxxx    
Pubis   x   
Quadrate  x    
Quadratojugalxx     
Radius  x    
Reptile misc.   xxxx
Rib  x    
Sacral and coloacal vertebra    xxx
Sphenethmoid x     
Squamosalxxx    
Sternumx      
Tarsalxxxxx  
Tibia  x    
Tooth      x
Trunk vertebraxxxxxxx
Ulna  x    
Urostylexx     
Vertebra       
Vomer  x    
QC1
Atlas vertebraxxxxxxx
Carapace   x   
Dentaryxxx x  
Femurxxxxx  
Fibularex      
Frontal  x  x 
Frontoparietalxx     
Humerusxxxxx  
Iliumxxxxxx 
Maxillaxxx x  
Orbitosphenoid  x    
Parietal  x  x 
Plastron   x   
Prootic-exoccipital  x    
Radioulnaxx     
Sacral vertebraxxxxx  
Scapulaxx x   
Scapulocoracoid  x x  
Tibialex      
Tibiofibulaxx     
QC4
2nd digit metacarpal x